Volleyball Broncos awaiting NCAA bid

Nov. 23, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's volleyball team must depend on an at-large bid to return to the NCAA tournament after failing to capture the Mid-American Conference tournament title and the automatic berth that goes with it.

WMU rolled through the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the past weekend's MAC tournament at the Seagate Center in Toledo, Ohio. The Broncos defeated both Buffalo and Miami three games to none.

That set up a rematch of last year's tournament championship with Ohio University--same two teams, same venue and same outcome--Ohio won in four games.

One year ago, the Broncos received an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16, before bowing to eventual national champion, Penn State. That recent tournament success may help WMU's chances for another at-large bid.

WMU, 23-11, still has one regular season match remaining, against Valparaiso this Saturday, Nov. 28, beginning at 7 p.m. in University Arena.